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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Knox County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John Callaway. Among those who have been prominent in the history of Knox County is the subject of the present sketch, ex-Judge Callaway, who was born in Harrison County, Ky., in 1828, and who is a descendant of two well respected and highly esteemed families of the Blue-grass State. His father, Henry H., was of English descent, and a native of Harrison County, Ky.; his mother, Annie Sherman, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and of German descent. Henry H. and wife were married in Bourbon County, Ky., where they engaged in farming for several years, and in 1832 immigrated to Northeast Missouri, where they located in Marion County, thus becoming one of the pioneer’ families of that section of the country. In 1839, between Christmas and New Year, they moved to Knox County, and settled near Edina, on Troublesome Creek, where Henry H. died in November, 1856, at the age of fifty-four. His wife departed this life the 11th day of March, 1883, at the age of seventy-four. They were both active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Callaway was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was elected county judge by the Democrats of Knox County, for several terms. Ten children were born to this union, nine of whom grew to maturity, and eight of whom are still living, all residing in Knox County, with the exception of Theodore, who resides in Davis County, Ind. Those married are Theodore, Mary Ann (formerly Mrs. Allen, now Mrs. Hardman), Satira Petree, Samuel (who married Miss Finch), and John. Our subject lived with his parents until he became twenty years old, when he went west in search of gold. Here he mined successfully for some time, but in 1866 met with reverses and returned home. While in California he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Dodd, a native of Kentucky, but then residing in Placer County, Cal., with her mother, who was left a widow when her daughter was but a child. To this union one child, Henry A., was born, but who is now dead. In November, two or three years after his marriage, the Judge lost his wife. After returning to Missouri, in 1866, our subject engaged in farming in Liberty Township, which farm of 100 acres he still owns. He inherited his father’s ability, and has also served as county judge. He was first appointed by Gov. Crittenden to fill out an unexpired term of Judge Hoagling who had resigned, and was elected to the same office the following term, but never aspired to the office again. For about four years previous to March, 1887, Judge Callaway was engaged in the family grocery trade, but has now retired from business life, and is living in his cottage at Knox City, where two unmarried sisters, Alice and Belle Callaway, remain with him.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in the Knox County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Knox County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Knox County, Missouri family biographies here: Knox County, Missouri Biographies

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